Neuropsychopharmacology (2008) 33, 2

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Neuroplasticity: A New Window on Therapeutics

in Neuropsychiatric Disease
ver the last 20 years an understanding has emerged By focusing on specific diseases, the authors not only show

O that the brain is in a state of continual change and

adaptation to the environment. Notably, the
cellular processes mediating brain adaptation are now seen
as potential vulnerabilities underlying neuropsychiatric
the reader how our evolving knowledge of neuroplasticity is
revolutionizing our understanding of disease etiology, but
also how this knowledge is creating the possibility of novel
pharmacological and behavioral therapies. Toward this end,
disorders. Neuroplasticity is the term widely used to the neuropsychiatric disorders are treated first as diseases
describe this changing brain function at all levels of with molecular underpinnings that are susceptible to
organization, from genetic to cellular and to behavioral. environmental and genetic regulation. These molecular
This volume endeavors to inform neuroscientists and underpinnings expose targets for the development of novel
clinicians about the basic mechanisms of neuroplasticity pharmacotherapeutics. The next level of integration is
that have been uncovered over the last half decade, and to through brain circuitry, particularly how molecular events
describe how these mechanisms apply to common neurop- and adaptations to genetic or environmental vulnerabilities
sychiatric disorders. Thus, the first two contributions result in maladaptive communication within and between
introduce the reader to some of the recently emerging regions of the brain that regulate behavior.
cellular mechanisms of neuroplasticity, first at the level of All of the authors whose articles are compiled here
epigenetic regulation of gene expression (McClung and endeavor to envision a future in which this knowledge has
Nestler), and second at the level of synaptic plasticity been used to develop successful therapies. It is our hope
(Citri and Malenka). The next three chapters explore the that this vision will spark new investigative directions for
integration of molecular plasticity into the neural circuits neurobiologists as well as provide clinicians with a sense of
regulating behaviors that are critical for normal adaptive the emerging medications and treatments that will shape the
response to the environment; these include interactions future of their practice.
between BDNF and serotonergic systems (Martinowich and Importantly, we wish to thank the Hot Topics’ editor,
Lu), prefrontal cortical circuitry (Moghaddam and Ho- Dr Bita Moghaddam, whose keen insight into the field of
mayoun) and the circuitry underlying learning and retrieval neuropsychopharmacology has provided a compendium of
of information (Quirk and Mueller). Building upon this outstanding perspective articles that highlight many of the
foundation, the subsequent contributions specifically apply most exciting findings and scientific viewpoints from the
the biology of neuroplasticity to various neuropsychiatric last year. We would also like to thank the ACNP, embodied
disorders, including fragile X (Bear et al), depression by Diane Drexler, and Nature Publishing, by Elizabeth
(Pittenger and Duman), bipolar disorder (Schloesser Durzy, for their untiring devotion to this project and its
et al), anxiety (Leonardo and Hen), schizophrenia (Lewis demanding timeline.
and Gonzalez-Burgos), addiction (Kalivas and O’Brien), and Peter Kalivas and Husseini K Manji, FRCPC
pediatric disorders (Rapoport and Gogtay). Neuropsychopharmacology, ACNP, Nashville, TN, USA

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Neuropsychopharmacology